Maryland Becomes First To Have "Living Wage"

Law360, New York (May 9, 2007, 12:00 AM EDT) -- Maryland on Tuesday became the first state to sign into law a statewide “living wage” bill that compels all state contractors to raise employees’ wages at least three dollars above the federal minimum wage.

A living wage refers to the minimum hourly wage necessary for an employee to support him or herself at a specific standard of living. Unlike a minimum wage, it is not federally mandated and varies year by year.

In 1994, Baltimore became the first city in the United States to require city...